Animated luminous display



Oct. 26, 1937.

Filed Dec. 22, 1936 F. HOTCHNER ANIMATED LUMINoUs DISPLAY 2 sheets-sneu 1 INVENTOR Oct. 26, 1937. F; HOTCHNER i ANIMATED LUMINOUS DISPLAYv 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Deo. 22, 1936 M T N E v m Patented Oct. -26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 19 Claims.

5 tion of the speed of the illusion. In general it contemplates the use of elongated light sources, of which the common luminous tubes may be takenas typical. It is related to the invention disclosed in my copending application, Serial No.

10 116,934,1iled December 21, 1936, and makes use of the broad principles disclosed therein. I have chosen to illustrate it by two special embodi- ,ments thereof, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its uses to such embodiments, nor to the particular type of light source shown, but may be variously adapted, modified and embodied within the purview of the claims.

One object of the invention is to produce a display in which the illusion of motion is produced through the interception of light rays by means of a light element which has no other mechanical duty than to carry its own weight and hence may be made simple and foolproof.`

Further in this connection I provide that the illusion need not depend on accurate manufacture or adjustment but may be made with only the usual care given tol portable window display of the neon tube class and will remain .in 0 effective adjustment through all the usual handling that such devices meet in service.

Another object is to provide a device in which a single driving speed may be selected for the device, but which by the isllght change involved in replacing one interceptor disk by another may be made to produce any of a variety of speeds in the resultant illusion.

Another object is to produce a display which `wil1 be eilective at as wide an angle as any 0 angle froml which the device may normally be viewed and be distinct with devices made with only ordinary care.

A further Objectis to produce a novel eii'ect which is very striking and gives rise to comment. 5 This effect may be described vas a double travel" effect, or as it has appeared to some observers, a twinkling effect. This is due to the fact that the illusion itself is an effect of variations in spaced groups of areas which in their smaller 0 elements evidence a different motion than that of the illusion.

through the course 'of a luminous tube without moving the tube or flashing it electrically.

A further object is to provide in a luminous display, in which additional display matter is present beside the tube, for the illumination of such matter by steady light from the tube and the conservation for that'purpose oi' a good portion of -the light which is intercepted for the purpose of creating the traveling effect.

In connection with the embodiment of the invention which I have illustrated as an illuminated clock it is an object of the invention to produce a rapid turning eiect with an interceptor element which need turn .at no more than the speed of the usual second hand of the stand-.- ard clock mechanisms. That is to say, the interceptor may be turned at one revolution per minute to produce an apparent speed of twentyfive to fifty or even more revolutions per minute if desired. This makes possible the use of standard clock works mechanisms which may be purchased at a low price and involves no change in the mechanisms themselves.

Another object is to provide the effect of travel in the opposite direction than that of the interceptor, and, as a further attraction feature, to produce the eiect of a double border, each section of which travels in the direction opposite to the other in the illusion, by means of a mechanical element turning in one direction.'

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification in connection with the drawings.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawings in which the same numeral appearing in more than one view refers to the same part throughout.

Figure 1 is a view of an illuminated clock provided with means to give the effect of a rapid traveling border around the dial.

Figure 6 is a face view of the disk used in the 'Y clock shown in Figure 5. Another object is to produce a traveling effect vFigure 7 is a cross-section of the device shown in Figure .5, taken as indicated by the section line 1-1 in- Figure 5, with the mechanism shown in full view.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective View of a. modification of the device taken from an abnormal point of view. The light field in this case consists of a surface on which the light from the luminous tube is cast, with 'the tube itself being out of View. The segments are painted on this surface and the tube is so positioned as to most effectively illuminate the background including the copy.

In Figure 9 a. further modification, similarly presented, is shown with the tube itself carrying obscurations corresponding to the lsegments of previous views.

Figure 10 is a view of a section of a special tube in which light and dark sections are produced by the construction of the tube itself in order that .s the minimum of energy may be consumed -by obscuration of sections of the tube. The light in this case is produced mainly in those sections of the tube which. corresponds to the lighted'se'ctions of the fields of previous views.

In the clock shown in Figures 1 to 4, numeral I indicates the clock, the body of which is formed by the casing 2. Within the casing are positioned the dial 3 and the cover glass 4, which together form the chamber 5 in which are the hands, the

interceptor disk and the luminous tube.

In clocks of this general type the cover glass helps to spread the light over the dial by refiection .from the inside surface. When the dial itself is nished with a gloss surface reiiection takes place back and forth between the near surfaces of the dial and the cover glass and to a very considerable degree increases the illumination of the inner portions of the dial. Since the angle of refiection at.

the' surface of the dial is very sharp, this effect is secured even with a dial of dark color'or black, provided that the surface be glossy.l In the instant invention the interceptor disk aids in this function. In fact for certain classes of work the cover glass may be eliminated and the interceptor disk charged with this duty entirely.

The luminous tube 9 is supported from the dial by the insulating posts 29 and has two electrode `terminals I and 8 which extend through holes in the dial and are connected to the transformer 6 which is secured to the rear of the dial. 'Ihe clock works I,-also secured to the rear of the dial, have the shaft and bushing assembly Il extending through a hole in the dial into the chamber 5. This assembly includes the shaft II, which carries the interceptor disk I4 of transparent material; and the concentric bushings I8-and I9, which carry the minute and hour hands, I2 and' I3. While these driving elements may be geared\to give any desired speed to the shaft I'I, I have found that the usual one revolution per minute rate of the typical second hand is entirely satisfactory for this work Thus, any of the various types of three hand clock movements available on the market may'be used for this work.

The disk I4 and the hands I2 and I3v are carried by the hubs 20, 2| and 22, respectively, which make press fits with their corresponding driving elements. A

One distinctive feature of this invention resides in the fact that the light passes directly from the source to the observer. The tube is positioned close to the light modifying means and may;v be made very intense if desired. A high percentage of the rays thus pass directly tothe observer. The rays passing through any particular opening between the segments of the interceptorcoriginate mainly in the portion of the tube immediately corresponding to the opening. I prefer to secure the eect by direct and total obstruction of the light by segments on the cover glass and the interceptor disk. It is permissible, however, to modify the light in other fashions. That is to say, instead of obstructing the light totally, it may be refracted, dispersed or modied in any other desired manner in order that portions of the source appear so different to the eye when the light therefrom is so modified as compared with portions of the source from which the light moves unaltered to the eye as to'be clearly distinct.

In the clock illustrated there are a number of Segments, 38, 3U, etc. painted on the rear surface of thecover glass alternating with clear spaces 3|, 3|, etc. These segments are preferably opaque and finished black to the View and hence are shown cross shaded as are also the rings 36 and 31 also on the glass. The dial is also cross shaded to indicate that it has a black finish but the cross shading lines are offset in both directions from the lines indicating the finish on vthe glass to distinguish the two members from each other. The dial is viewed through the transparent center portion of the interceptor disk, indicated by |00, which portion is not specifically shown in Figure 1. On the rear surface of the interceptor disk there are similar segments indicated by 34, 34, etc. alternating with clear spaces 35, 35, etc. These segments and the corresponding rings 32 and 33 are preferably nished in black as indicated by the diagonal cross shading to distinguish it from the cross shading of the segments on the cover glass. Opaque rings, 36 and 3'I on the glass, and 32 andV 33 on the disk help to cutthe effect out clearly to view from undesired reflection from within. It is not necessary to finish the background over the region behind the tube. In fact, if this part of the dial be painted white or left in the light reecting. condition, it intensifies details above described identify the front surface will be presented to view asmany groups of light 1 transmitting spaces as the difference in the number of segments on the two elements.

There being 48 gments on the glass and 44 on the disk, there will be four groups of light transmitting spaces which blend olf into an equal number of groups of spaces which are so obstructed as to appear dark. At a distance these groups of spaces blend together to form a series of dark and light areas, each light area including a number of adjacent openings which permit the passage of a good proportion of the light. The ,dark areas cover a number of openings on the glass whichA are nearly or completely obstructed by segments on the disk.

When the disk in turning this illusion is had evento a very close view. In fact the illusion is clear when the observer is so close that he may see the actual movement of the disk segments. A peculiar and attractive effect is thus produced.

The speed of the illusory movement depends on the difference in the .number of segments on is one segment difference in` number between the glass and the disk. When the difference in the number of segments is greater than one the speed will vary inversely with the number of the diii'erence.

Ii' the lesser number of segments be on the disk, the illusion will be in the opposite direction to the movement of the disk, and vice versa. In the clock illustrated, the illusion will be ODDOSite to the movement of the disk. 'I'he open spaces through the glass between the segments being comparatively large it is possible to observe the actual movement of the segments of the disk by close inspection. However, at a material distance this will only be observed by deliberate inspection. The eifect which strikes the attention first isthat of a. twinkling traveling illusion. The eifectis distinct, striking and interesting however observed.

The amount oi.' distortion of the illusion to the angular view depends on the separation between the disk and glass as compared with the dimensio'ns of the segments. Actually, however, the permissible size of segments to produce satisfactory effects is so considerable that it is not necessaryto construct the device with great accuracy. The class of construction common with illuminated clocks now onthe market is entirely adequate for this purpose.

The most satisfactory eifects are secured by providing a dark background on the dial with light colored characters and hands although there is much latitude permissible in this respect and the copy matter may be variously finished and positioned in this display to be lighted by direct rays from the tube. The copy may thus be on either surfaceoi' the covervglass, or the dial, and may be formed, constructed or impressed in any fashion. oraccording to any method known in the 40 art duce a. double border eiIect.

are indicated by 58, 58, etc., and the outer seg- It is tobe understood, of coiuse, that the interceptor may be constructed in any -suitable fashion. It may, as an instance, be .formed o1' wire spokes carrying thin metal parts for interceptor segments as is shown in my copending application above mentioned. v

In the device shown in Figures to 7, I produce a double traveling eect through the course of two tubes through the use of a single disk. The tubes may be of diierent colors, in which case the copy matter will be lighted by blended light and the borders, viewed in the direct light of the tube, will appear of different colorv from each other and the copy. I show a. dark background in this device with light colored copy.

'I'he device consists of a casing 58 within which the other elements are secured. The background member 5i carries the mechanism 52 fastened to the rear and has the inscription 63 painted on the front. The journal 5I of the mechanism extends through'a hole in the `background and carries the interceptor disk 54 oi' transparent material. The tubes 5| and 82 are positioned behind the disk and form the double border. The cover glass 55 carries a series oi' segments 58, 58,'etc. painted onthe inner surface. These segments are ofradial width sumcient to enclose both tubes to the view. An opaque ring 51 helps to deilne the effect. On the disk there are two rings of'.

segments corresponding to the two tubes and cooperating with the segments of the glass to pro- The inner segments ments by 58, 58, etc. And opaque ring`58 completes the pattern, all being on the rear surface of the disk. The center of the disk, indicated by is transparent to permit clear view of the inscription.

There are 24 segments on the glass and 26 and 22 in the inner and outer rings on the disk, respectively. Consequently there will be two groups of light spaces in each border and the inner will appear to turn with the4 disk while the outer turns against it. The speed will be approximately the same in both borders. The disk is transparent over the region covering the copy on the background.

In Figure 8 I have shown a device in which the tube is replaced by a surface which is illuminated y Vtween the segments 18, 18, etc., on the disk 16.

The center of the disk, indicated by |02, remains transparent. The disk is carried by the shaft 11 driven by a clock works mechanism which is omitted in the drawings. The #tube 14 is concealed under the rim 15 of the housing. As inthe previously illustrated devices there is a difference in the number of segments on the background and the disk to produce a traveling effect. In Figure 9 a further modification is shown in which the tube itself is provided with appropriate obscurations. The housing of the device is indicated by 80 and presents a. display surface 8| on which the copy may be painted. This surface plays no essential part in the border effect and hence may be disregarded in this consideration. rI'he tube 82 is obscured over spaced sections as indicated by 88, 83, etc., leaving the clear spaces 84, which are viewed through the openings 88 between the segments 81 on the disk 85. The angular length of the spaces on the tube is difierent from that of the segments and corresponding clear spaces and hence we have a traveling effect presented by the revolution oi.' the disk. 'I'he disk is turned by the Yshaft 86 connected to a clock works mechanism omitted in the drawings. The center of the disc, indicated by |03, remains transparent.

`In Figure 10 I show a type of illuminating tube in which the light is produced mainly in the sections which are needed for theeffect thus avoiding the loss incident tothe use of obscurations. There are numerous other constructions possible under this broad idea and hence it will be understood as merely illustrative of the principle involved.

The tube is indicated by 90 and is provided with glass inserts 9| which constrict the discharge into the narrow passages 92. The tube is so processed and charged with conducting gas that the light is produced mainly in the constrlcted passages and the illumination from the sections other than the course of the light vsource andl interception effected by virtue of a component of said'movement in the general direction of the source.

As used in the claims the following terms are tobe understood as having the significance which follows:

The term light interceptor shall be under- `f stood as including any structure or part serving the purpose defined. Along said source is to include any component so directed. Light source is to include any type of light in the general form described, any surface or object in the form. described rendered luminous by a source not directly participating in the illusion due thereto, and any part of any source involved in the illusion as described. The term transparent shall apply as descriptive of objects of transparent material and objects having open spaces through which the indicia may be viewed. The terms light field and luminous areas are to include primary sources and surfaces or objects lighted by sources not directly participating in the illusion and in the form described. Indicia is to include any design, letter, symbol, figure or similar characterization or one or'any number thereof. Light intercepting as descriptive of a property shall include any property which so modifies light rays that the portions of the source viewed thereby are visibly different and distinct from other portions of the source which are viewed at the same instant by rays not so modified, and includes` refraction. A

dispersion, spectral selection, reduction, polarization and total obscuration. The terms pivot and axis shall embrace points or lines in space as described. The expressions in front of and sideways have reference to the ordinary positions of observers. The expression substantially direct transmission of light rays from said source to the observer, or the like, means that the sections of the light source as observed by theirrown light appear in their own immediate vicinity. The expression ordinary angles of View means that range of angles of view over which displays of this nature are ordinarily expected to be clearly distinguished.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a luminous display, a light source presenting a vseries vof spaced light emitting areas and light intercepting means having spaced light Y 'intercepting segments, and means to move said ing through said intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display.

2. In a luminous display, a light source presenting a series of substantially uniformly spaced light emitting areas and light intercepting means having a series of substantially uniformly spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of said areas, said segments being spaced at a different frequency than said areas whereby to vproduce the eilect of spaced groups of said areas moving through said series at a different speed than said intercepting means, and additional display matter in the'vicinity' of said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display. l"

3. In a luminous display, a. light source presenting a series of substantially uniformly spaced light emitting areas and light intercepting means having a series of substantially uniformly spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of said areas, said segments being spaced at a greater frequency than said areas whereby to produce the effect of spaced groups of said areas moving through said series in the same direction but at a greater. speed than said intercepting means, and additional display matter in the vicinity of said light source disposed to be 'lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display.

, 4. In a luminous display, a light source presenting a series of substantially uniformly spaced light emitting areas and light intercepting means having a series of substantially uniformly spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of said areas, said segments being spaced at a lesser frequency than said areas whereby to produce the eiect of spaced groups of said areas moving through said series in the opposite direction to the movement of said intercepting means,

and additional display matter in the vicinity of said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display.

5. In a luminous display, a light source having a plurality of spaced light emitting areas and light intercepting means having light intercepting segments presenting with said source a double series of luminous areas, the frequency of said segments being greater than that o f the corresponding areas of said source in one of said vseries and less than that of the corresponding areas in the other of said series whereby to produce the eifect of motion in opposite directions upon the movement of said intercepting means in either direction lengthwise Withthe series,

means to move said interceptor to traverse said segments across said areas, and additional display matter in the vicinity of said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than the rays passing through said .intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display.

6. In a luminous display, an elongated illuminant, means to obscure to view the light therefrom in such manner as to present a series of spaced luminous sections, and light intercepting means having spaced light intercepting segments, andv means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of and generally ammini;l

lengthwise with said illuminant, said segments being so disposed as to produce an attraction effect in conjunctionwith said luminous sections by the order of interception of the rays therefrom, and additional display matter in the vicinity of said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display. l

7. In a luminousdisplay, an elongated illuminant, means to dene to view a series of spaced luminous sections thereof, and light intercepting means having spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of and generally lengthwise with said illuminant, said segments being spaced at a different frequency than said luminous sections whereby to produce the effect of motion therealong at a different intercepting means and to be viewed from the front of said display.

8. In a luminous display, an elongated illurninant, means to define to View a series of spaced luminous sections thereof, and light intercepting means having spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of and generally lengthwise with said illuminant, said segments being spaced at a lesser frequency than said luminous sections whereby to produce the eifect of spaced groups of said sections moving in the opposite direction to the movement of said intercepting means, and additional display matter in the vicinity of-said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercepting means and to be `viewed from the front of said display.

9. In' a, luminous display, an elongated illuminant, means to define to view a series of spaced luminous sections thereof, and light intercepting means having spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said intercepting means to traverse said segments in front of and generally lengthwise with said illuminant, said segments being spaced at a greater frequency than said luminous sections whereby to produce the effect of spaced groups of sections moving in the same direction as -said 'intercepting means and at a greater speed, and additional` display matter in the vicinity of said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercepting means and to be viewed from the frontl of said display.

10. In a luminous display, an elongated light source, a pair of light interceptors each of which has a plurality of light intercepting segments spaced along the course of said light source and in front thereof and means to move said interceptors relative to each other. along the course of said light source whereby to variously inter- 1 has a plurality of light interoepting segments periodically spaced along the course of said light source and in front thereof, said segments being spaced at a different frequency on each of said tional display matter in the vicinity of said light source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than rays passing through said intercept- -ing means and to be viewed from the iront of said display. I

12. In a luminous display, an elongated light -scui ce, a pair of light interceptors each of which has a plurality of light intercepting segments spaced along the course of said light source and in front thereof to present to view two serial groups of changing luminous areas upon the movements of said interceptors relative to each other, the frequency of the light transmitting spaces between the segments being greater on one of said interceptors than on the other for one of said groups of luminous areas and less for the other of said groups of areas, and means to move one of said interceptors relative to the other whereby to produce the illusion of motion in opposite direction through said groups of luminous areas.

13. In a luminous display, a tubular light in the form of a border, indicia positioned to be lighted by rays passing generally sideways therefrom, and a pair oflight interceptors disposed to move relative to each vother along said border and around a pivot therewithin, said interceptors having light intercepting segments spaced along the course of said light and in front thereof said segments being of different frequency on each of said interceptors, and means to move one of said interceptors relative to the other around said pivot.

14. In a luminous display, an elongated light source, means in association therewith to define to view a plurality of spaced luminous sections of said source, light intercepting means having spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move the same to traverse said segments in front of said source to variously intercept the light from'said luminous sections to produce an attraction effect, and indicia associated with said source so as to be lighted by rays therefrom other than the rays participating in said attraction effect and to be viewed from the front of said display.

15. In a luminous display, an elongated light source, means in association therewith to define to view a plurality of spaced luminous sections of said source, said source beingin the form at least in part of a circuitous border, indicia positioned within said border to the view and positioned to be lighted b'y rays from said source passing generally sideways therefrom, light intercepting means pivoted on an axis within said border and having light intercepting segments in front of said source and spaced therealong to produce an attraction effect through the various interceptionlof light from said luminous sections, said interceptor kbeing transparent to the view over the region of said indicia, and means to turn said interceptor around said axis.

16. In a luminous display, a light source having a plurality of spaced light emitting sections, a light interceptor having a plurality of spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said elements relative to each other to traverse said segments across'said sections of said source, said sections and segments being positioned to operate in such close relation that the effect thus producedja substantially the same from all ordinary angles of view and as observed by a person passing said display under normal conditions o1' observation, and additional display matter in the vicinity of said source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than the rays passing i through said interceptor and to be viewed from the front of said display.

17. A luminous display including an extended light source, a pair of light interceptors each of which has a plurality of spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said interceptors relative to each other to traverse the segments of one across the segments of the other in front of said light source, said interceptors being positioned to operate in such close relation to each other that the eiect thus produced is substantially the same from all ordinary angles of view and as observed by a person passing said display under normal conditions of observation, the spacing of said segments along the line of relative motion being diierent on each of said interceptors.

' 18. A luminous display including an extended light source, a pair of light interceptors each of which has a plurality of spaced light intercepting segments, and means to move said interceptors relative to each other to traverse the segments of one across the segments of the other in front of said light source, said nterceptors being positioned to operate in such close relation to each other that the effect thus produced is substantially the same from all ordinary angles of view and as observed by a person passing said display under normal conditions of observation, said segments being substantially uniformly spaced along the line of relative motion on each of said interceptors but at a different spacing than the segments of the other interceptor.

19. A luminous display including an extended light source, a pair of light interceptors each of display under normal conditions of observation,

and additional display matter in the vicinity of said source disposed to be lighted by rays therefrom other than the rays passing through said interceptors and to be viewed from the front of said display.

FRED HOTCHNER. 

